Tyonne Palmer was a hard-working nursing assistant who cared for her three kids and took care of a chronically ill friend, jurors heard during two weeks of trial.

They also found out the 32-year-old was dating a married pastor and helped his son kill the woman standing between her and her wedding day.

After convicting her Thursday of murder for her part in the May 2010 shooting of Pauletta Burleson, they seemed to take both versions of Palmer into account, deciding she should spend only seven years behind bars.

"We respect the jury's verdict in this case, and I can understand how they came to that conclusion," said prosecutor Caroline Dozier. "Everybody who testified about her said good things about her."

Dozier, and prosecutor Kari Allen, argued that Palmer should spend the rest of her life in prison for her involvement.

"You can't just kill somebody because you don't want to go through a divorce," Allen said. "That's not right."

But after the jury's decision, the prosecutors relented. Dozier said jurors must have had sympathy for Palmer and noted that even the accomplice who testified against her said she took care of him.

The jurors all declined to comment after the verdict.

Disappointment

Burleson's family said they were disappointed with the decision.

"It seems like maybe she should have gotten a little longer," said Fannie Aaron, Pauletta Burleson's sister. "This was a stupid move on her part, to get herself involved in this."

Although she wiped tears from her eyes for hours after being convicted, Palmer did not react when state District Judge Susan Brown read the verdict.

"When the state is trying to put your client in prison for life without parole, and she gets seven years, that's a win," Osso said. "We're trying to decide now if we should even appeal."

Osso argued that Palmer was wrapped up in her lover's drama that ended with her as an accomplice to a murder.

Prosecutors had asked the jury to convict her of capital murder for aiding and abetting a murder-for-hire.

Palmer also was sentenced to 10 years probation for tampering with evidence.

The intricate scheme that ended with the May 18, 2010 execution-style shooting fell apart after the triggerman confessed.

Reduced sentence

The admitted killer, 21-year-old William Fuller, testified he shot his stepmother in the back of the head after his father promised him money from her life insurance policy.

Fuller's capital murder charge was reduced to murder after cooperating with prosecutors by testifying against his father and Palmer. His case is pending.

Pastor Tracy "T.B." Burleson was convicted last month of capital murder for paying his son to kill his wife.

Two felonies

Palmer was convicted of two felonies, but both sentences will run at the same time. She will have to serve at least half of the seven-year sentence before being eligible for parole.

During that time, the clock will run on her probation. Osso said he plans, in three and a half years, to ask the parole board for Palmer's release. At that time, he said, he will argue she will be under the judge's supervision for another six years.